Broncos–Chargers rivalry

Broncos–Chargers

Denver Broncos Los Angeles Chargers
First meeting	October 16, 1960 Chargers 23, Broncos 19
Latest meeting	December 27, 2020 Chargers 19, Broncos 16
Next meeting	2021
Statistics
Meetings total	123
All-time series	Broncos, 69-53–1
Postseason results	Broncos, 1–0 January 12, 2014: Broncos 24, Chargers 17
Largest victory	Broncos, 38–3 (1997); Chargers: 58–20 (1963), 41–3 (2007)
Longest win streak	Broncos, 7 (1975–78); Chargers, 6 (1963–66)
Current win streak	Chargers, 1 (2020–present)
Playoff and Championship success
AFL Championships (1960–1969) Chargers: 1963 Super Bowl Championships (3) Broncos: 1997 (XXXII), 1998 (XXXIII), 2015 (50) AFL Western Division Championships (5) (1960–1969) Chargers – 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965 AFC West Divisional Championships (25) (1970–present) Broncos (15) – 1977, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Chargers (10) – 1979, 1980, 1981, 1992, 1994, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 AFC Wild Card Berths (14) (1970–present) Broncos (7) – 1979, 1983, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2004 Chargers (4) – 1982, 1995, 2013, 2018 Super Bowl appearances (9) Broncos (8) – 1977, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2013, 2015 Chargers (1) – 1994

The Broncos–Chargers rivalry is a rivalry between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League's AFC West division. Since the American Football League was established in 1960, the Broncos and Chargers have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, and since the AFL–NFL merger, the AFC West.

The Broncos lead the overall series 69–53–1. The teams have met once in the playoffs, a 24–17 Broncos win in the 2013 AFC Divisional Round.

Notable moments

1985–2006

• November 17, 1985: Broncos' safety Dennis Smith blocked two straight field goal attempts in overtime, after the Chargers had advanced the football to the Broncos' 23-yard line in the first overtime possession. On 4th and 4 from the Broncos' 23, Smith blocked Bob Thomas' initial field goal attempt, only to have it negated due to a timeout being called by teammate Mike Harden prior to the kick. Following the timeout, Thomas attempted a second kick, and this was also blocked by Smith and returned by Louis Wright for a 60-yard touchdown for a 30–24 Broncos' overtime win at Mile High Stadium.
• September 4, 1994: The Broncos jumped out to a 24–6 lead at Mile High Stadium on the Chargers in the second quarter, however, the Chargers responded, and took a 27–24 lead at half time, after safety Stanley Richard returned a John Elway interception 99 yards for a touchdown just before halftime. The Chargers later sealed the victory after linebacker Junior Seau recovered a fumble by Elway in the game's closing seconds.
• September 14, 2003: The Broncos routed the Chargers 37–13 at Qualcomm Stadium. However, the game is notable for a uniform mix-up, in which the Broncos came to the stadium in their road white jerseys, when the host Chargers were planning to wear white, and were supposed to be the team that declared their uniform color. The Broncos were fined $25,000 as a result, and when the two teams met at Invesco Field at Mile High later that season in Week 11 (November 16), the NFL allowed the Chargers to choose their uniform color in advance, and they chose navy blue, forcing the Broncos to wear their white jerseys at home for the first time since 1983.
• December 10, 2006: The Chargers routed the Broncos 48–20 at Qualcomm Stadium, in which Chargers' running back LaDainian Tomlinson set a new NFL record for touchdowns in a single season, with 28.

2007–2011

• December 24, 2007: In the fourth quarter of a Monday night game at Qualcomm Stadium, Broncos' quarterback Jay Cutler was involved in a verbal scuffle with Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers and linebacker Matt Wilhelm, with Rivers taunting Cutler and Wilhelm mocking a "waving" gesture. Broncos' cornerback Champ Bailey took exception to Rivers' taunting of Cutler.
• September 14, 2008: With 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Chargers were leading 38–31 in Denver. The Broncos hiked the ball on 2nd-and-goal from the Chargers' 1-yard line. Jay Cutler rolled out to the right and fumbled the football before he brought his arm forward, which was recovered by Chargers' linebacker Tim Dobbins. However, referee Ed Hochuli called the play dead as he believed it to be an incomplete pass, so the ball was returned to the Broncos at the 10-yard line (the spot where the ball hit the ground). Two plays later, on 4th-and-goal from the 4, Cutler threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Eddie Royal to make the score 38–37. Instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game and send it to overtime, Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan opted for a 2-point conversion. Cutler completed the conversion with another pass to Royal, giving the Broncos a 39–38 victory.
• December 28, 2008: The Broncos and Chargers met in the 2008 regular-season finale in San Diego, with the winner clinching the AFC West title. Three weeks earlier, the Broncos were 8–5 and the Chargers were 5–8, with the Broncos losing their next two games and the Chargers winning their next two to pull to within one game of the Broncos for the division lead. Three and a half months after the aforementioned controversial Broncos' win in Denver, the Chargers exacted revenge, with an emphatic 52–21 win that not only completed a monumental Broncos' season-ending collapse, but also denied the Broncos a playoff berth. The two teams finished the 2008 season tied for first-place in the AFC West, each with an 8–8 record, however, the Chargers won the division based on a better record against AFC West divisional opponents (5–1 to the Broncos' 3–3). This was also Mike Shanahan's last game as the Broncos' head coach, as he was fired two days later after 14 seasons.
• November 27, 2011: Quarterback Tim Tebow led the Broncos to a 16–13 win at Qualcomm Stadium in overtime, with kicker Matt Prater nailing a 37-yard field goal with 29 seconds left. Earlier in overtime, the Broncos blocked a 53-yard attempt by Chargers' kicker Nick Novak, however, Broncos' head coach John Fox called a timeout prior to the kick. Novak subsequently missed the second attempt.

2012–present

• October 15, 2012: Trailing 24–0 at halftime after back-to-back special teams turnovers and an interception returned for a touchdown, quarterback Peyton Manning led the Broncos to a stunning 35–24 comeback win in San Diego. Three second-half interceptions and two lost fumbles by Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers swung the momentum toward the Broncos' favor, as Manning and the Broncos capitalized on each Chargers' mistake. Manning went 13/14 for 167 yards and three touchdowns in the second half, hitting Demaryius Thomas on a 29-yard score with 10:56 left in the third quarter to get the Broncos on the scoreboard. Following a 65-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery by cornerback Tony Carter, the Broncos suddenly found themselves down only 10 as the Chargers watched their comfortable halftime lead dwindle. Manning added two more touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, finding Eric Decker on a 7-yard score and then connecting with Brandon Stokley on a 21-yard pitch and catch to give the Broncos a 28–24 lead with 9:03 left. Cornerback Chris Harris, Jr. sealed the comeback with a 46-yard interception return to put the Broncos up 35–24 with 2:06 left. The defense added one final takeaway as Rivers fumbled in the game's final minute to end what was certainly an instant Monday Night Football classic.
• September 11, 2017: The Chargers were attempting a game-tying 44-yard field goal at Sports Authority Field at Mile High with five seconds left in the game, after trailing 24–7 to begin the fourth quarter. However, Chargers' placekicker Younghoe Koo's field goal attempt was blocked by Broncos' defensive end Shelby Harris for a Broncos' 24–21 win. Koo's initial field goal attempt was good, but it was nullified as the result of Broncos' head coach Vance Joseph calling a timeout in order to ice the kicker, forcing a second attempt.
• November 18, 2018: The Chargers were leading 19–7 in the third quarter at StubHub Center, and were threatening to pull away from the Broncos. However, linebacker Von Miller swung the momentum in the Broncos' favor, with an interception of a screen pass by Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers, returning the football 40 yards to the Chargers' 18-yard line. This set up a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Royce Freeman to pull the Broncos to within a 19–14 deficit. Following a 2-yard touchdown by running back Phillip Lindsay (with an unsuccessful two-point attempt) and a go-ahead 30-yard field goal by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley, Broncos' quarterback Case Keenum engineered a game-winning drive, culminating in a 34-yard field goal by placekicker Brandon McManus as time expired, for a 23–22 Broncos' victory.
• December 1, 2019: After a 46-yard field goal by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley tied the score at 20–20 with only 14 seconds remaining at Empower Field at Mile High, the game appeared to be headed to overtime. However, instead of a kneel-down, Broncos' rookie quarterback Drew Lock, in his NFL debut, launched a deep pass attempt to wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who drew a pass interference penalty on cornerback Casey Hayward at the Chargers' 35-yard line. This set up Broncos' placekicker Brandon McManus with the game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired.
• November 1, 2020: The Broncos trailed 24–3 in front of limited capacity at Empower Field at Mile High, and were stymied by the Chargers' defense in the first half. Entering the third quarter, the Broncos had scored only two touchdowns in the previous ten quarters. However, running back Phillip Lindsay ignited a rally with a 55-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Drew Lock threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam to draw the Broncos to within a 24–17 deficit early in the fourth quarter. After Lock's second touchdown pass—a 40-yarder to wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton, coupled with two field goals by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley, the Broncos trailed 30–24 with 2:34 remaining in the game. The Broncos began their game-winning drive at their own 19-yard line. Following a pass interference penalty on Chargers' cornerback Brandon Facyson in the end zone on 4th-and-4 with one second remaining, Lock connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver K. J. Hamler as time expired, coupled with placekicker Brandon McManus kicking the subsequent game-winning extra point.

Game results

Denver Broncos vs. San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers Season-by-Season Results
1960s (Chargers, 15–5) Season Season series at Denver Broncos at L.A./San Diego Chargers Overall series Notes 1960 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 23–19 Chargers 41–33 Chargers 2–0 Inaugural season for both franchises and the AFL. Chargers lose 1960 AFL Championship. 1961 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 19–16 Chargers 37–0 Chargers 4–0 Chargers relocate to San Diego after playing first season in Los Angeles. Chargers lose 1961 AFL Championship. 1962 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 30–21 Broncos 23–20 Chargers 4–2 1963 Tie 1–1 Broncos 50–34 Chargers 58–20 Chargers 5–3 Chargers win 1963 AFL Championship. 1964 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 31–20 Chargers 42–14 Chargers 7–3 Chargers lose 1964 AFL Championship. 1965 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 34–31 Chargers 35–21 Chargers 9–3 Chargers lose 1965 AFL Championship. 1966 Tie 1–1 Broncos 20–17 Chargers 24–17 Chargers 10–4 1967 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 38–21 Chargers 24–20 Chargers 12–4 Chargers open SDCCU Stadium (then known as San Diego Stadium). 1968 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 47–23 Chargers 55–24 Chargers 14–4 1969 Tie 1–1 Broncos 13–0 Chargers 45–24 Chargers 15–5
1970s (Broncos, 13–6–1) Season Season series at Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers Overall series Notes 1970 Chargers 1–0–1 Tie 17–17 Chargers 24–21 Chargers 16–5–1 AFL-NFL merger. Both teams placed in AFC West. Only tie game in the history of the rivalry. 1971 Tie 1–1 Broncos 20–16 Chargers 45–17 Chargers 17–6–1 1972 Tie 1–1 Broncos 38–13 Chargers 37–14 Chargers 18–7–1 Chargers win nine straight home meetings. 1973 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 30–19 Broncos 42–28 Chargers 18–9–1 1974 Tie 1–1 Broncos 27–7 Chargers 17–0 Chargers 19–10–1 1975 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 13–10(OT) Broncos 27–17 Chargers 19–12–1 1976 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 26–0 Broncos 17–0 Chargers 19–14–1 1977 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 17–9 Broncos 17–14 Chargers 19–16–1 Broncos lose Super Bowl XII. 1978 Tie 1–1 Broncos 27–14 Chargers 23–0 Chargers 20–17–1 Broncos win seven straight meetings. 1979 Tie 1–1 Broncos 7–0 Chargers 17–7 Chargers 21–18–1 Broncos win nine straight meetings in Denver.
1980s (Broncos, 12–8) Season Season series at Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers Overall series Notes 1980 Tie 1–1 Chargers 30–13 Broncos 20–13 Chargers 22–19–1 1981 Tie 1–1 Broncos 42–24 Chargers 34–17 Chargers 23–20–1 1982 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 23–3 Chargers 23–3 Chargers 25–20–1 Both meetings were played despite the players' strike which reduced the season to 9 games; Chargers' first season sweep since 1968. 1983 Tie 1–1 Broncos 14–6 Chargers 31–7 Chargers 26–21–1 1984 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 16–13 Broncos 16–13 Chargers 26–23–1 1985 Tie 1–1 Broncos 30–24(OT) Chargers 30–10 Chargers 27–24–1 Broncos block a potential Chargers' game-winning field goal and return it for a touchdown to win the game in Denver. 1986 Tie 1–1 Chargers 9–3 Broncos 31–14 Chargers 28–25–1 Broncos lose Super Bowl XXI. 1987 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 24–0 Broncos 31–17 Chargers 28–27–1 Broncos lose Super Bowl XXII. 1988 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 34–3 Broncos 12–0 Broncos 29–28–1 1989 Tie 1–1 Broncos 16–10 Chargers 19–16 Broncos 30–29–1 Broncos lose Super Bowl XXIV.
1990s (Broncos, 13–7) Season Season series at Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers Overall series Notes 1990 Tie 1–1 Broncos 20–10 Chargers 19–7 Broncos 31–30–1 1991 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 27–19 Broncos 17–14 Broncos 33–30–1 1992 Tie 1–1 Broncos 21–13 Chargers 24–21 Broncos 34–31–1 1993 Tie 1–1 Broncos 34–17 Chargers 13–10 Broncos 35–32–1 1994 Tie 1–1 Chargers 37–34 Broncos 20–15 Broncos 36–33–1 Chargers lose Super Bowl XXIX. 1995 Tie 1–1 Broncos 30–27 Chargers 17–6 Broncos 37–34–1 1996 Tie 1–1 Chargers 28–17 Broncos 16–10 Broncos 38–35–1 1997 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 38–3 Broncos 38–28 Broncos 40–35–1 Broncos win Super Bowl XXXII. 1998 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 27–10 Broncos 31–16 Broncos 42–35–1 Broncos win Super Bowl XXXIII. 1999 Tie 1–1 Chargers 12–6 Broncos 33–17 Broncos 43–36–1
2000s (Broncos, 11–9) Season Season series at Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers Overall series Notes 2000 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 38–37 Broncos 21–7 Broncos 45–36–1 2001 Tie 1–1 Broncos 26–16 Chargers 27–10 Broncos 46–37–1 Broncos open Broncos Stadium at Mile High (then known as Invesco Field at Mile High). 2002 Tie 1–1 Broncos 26–9 Chargers 30–27(OT) Broncos 47–38–1 2003 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 37–8 Broncos 37–13 Broncos 49–38–1 2004 Tie 1–1 Broncos 23–13 Chargers 20–17 Broncos 50–39–1 2005 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 20–17 Broncos 23–7 Broncos 52–39–1 2006 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 35–27 Chargers 48–20 Broncos 52–41–1 Chargers' first season sweep since 1982. 2007 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 41–3 Chargers 23–3 Broncos 52–43–1 2008 Tie 1–1 Broncos 39–38 Chargers 52–21 Broncos 53–44–1 Broncos stun Chargers with controversial game-winning two-point conversion in Denver meeting; Chargers exact revenge in San Diego on final day of the season to clinch the AFC West, denying the Broncos a playoff berth. 2009 Tie 1–1 Chargers 32–3 Broncos 34–23 Broncos 54–45–1
2010s (Broncos, 14–7) Season Season series at Denver Broncos at San Diego/L.A. Chargers Overall series Notes 2010 Chargers 2–0 Chargers 35–14 Chargers 33–28 Broncos 54–47–1 2011 Tie 1–1 Chargers 29–24 Broncos 16–13(OT) Broncos 55–48–1 2012 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 30–23 Broncos 35–24 Broncos 57–48–1 Peyton Manning rallied Broncos from a 24–0 halftime deficit with 35 unanswered second-half points in San Diego meeting. 2013 Tie 1–1 Chargers 27–20 Broncos 28–20 Broncos 58–49–1 Broncos lose Super Bowl XLVIII. 2013 Playoffs Broncos 1–0 Broncos 24–17 Broncos 59–49–1 AFC Divisional playoffs — Only playoff meeting between the two teams. 2014 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 35–21 Broncos 22–10 Broncos 61–49–1 2015 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 27–20 Broncos 17–3 Broncos 63–49–1 Broncos clinch both the AFC West and home–field advantage in the AFC playoffs with their home win in week 17. Broncos win Super Bowl 50. 2016 Tie 1–1 Broncos 27–19 Chargers 21–13 Broncos 64–50–1 2017 Tie 1–1 Broncos 24–21 Chargers 21–0 Broncos 65–51–1 Chargers relocate from San Diego to Los Angeles; Broncos block game-tying field goal attempt at the end of regulation in Denver meeting. 2018 Tie 1–1 Chargers 23–9 Broncos 23–22 Broncos 66–52–1 Brandon McManus kicks game-winning field goal as time expired in Los Angeles meeting. 2019 Broncos 2–0 Broncos 23–20 Broncos 20–13 Broncos 68–52–1 Brandon McManus kicks game-winning field goal as time expired in Denver meeting.
2020s (Tied, 1–1) Season Season series at Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers Overall series Notes 2020 Tie 1–1 Broncos 31–30 Chargers 19–16 Broncos 69–53–1 Drew Lock rallied Broncos to game-winning touchdown as time expired and overcoming a 24–3 deficit in their home win.
Summary of Results Season Season series at Denver Broncos at San Diego/L.A. Chargers Notes AFL regular season Chargers 15–5 Chargers 6–4 Chargers 9–1 NFL regular season Broncos 63–38–1 Broncos 36–13–1 Broncos 27–25 AFL and NFL regular season Broncos 68–53–1 Broncos 40–19–1 Chargers 34–28 NFL postseason Broncos 1–0 Broncos 1–0 no games 2013 AFC Divisional playoffs Regular and postseason Broncos 69–53–1 Broncos 41–19–1 Chargers 34–28

Connections between the teams

Coaches

Name	Broncos' tenure	Chargers' tenure
Craig Aukerman	Defensive assistant, 2010	Assistant Special Teams coach, 2013–2016
Clancy Barone	Tight ends coach, 2009, 2011–14 Offensive line coach, 2010, 2015–2016	Tight ends coach, 2007–2008
Tim Brewster	Tight ends coach, 2005–2006	Tight ends coach, 2002–2004 Assistant head coach, 2004
Jeff Davidson	Guard, 1990–93 Offensive line coach, 2017	Offensive line coach, 2016
John Fox	Head coach, 2011–2014	Secondary coach, 1992–1993
Alex Gibbs	Offensive line coach, 1984–1987 Assistant head coach/Offensive line coach, 1995–2003 Offensive line consultant, 2013	Offensive line coach, 1990–1991
Anthony Lynn	Running back, 1993, 1997–1999 Assistant special teams coach, 2000–2002	Head coach, 2017–2020
Mike McCoy	Offensive coordinator, 2009–2012, 2017	Head coach, 2013–2016
Ron Milus	Secondary coach, 2000–2002 and 2011–2012	Secondary coach, 2013–present
Mike Nolan	Special teams coach, 1987–1988 Linebackers coach, 1989–1992 Defensive coordinator, 2009	Linebackers coach, 2015
Wayne Nunnely	Defensive line coach, 2009–2011	Defensive line coach, 1997–2008
John Pagano	Outside linebackers coach, 2020–present	Defensive assistant, 2002 Linebackers coach, 2003–2011 Defensive coordinator, 2012–2016
Dwain Painter	Offensive assistant, 1997	Quarterbacks coach, 1994–1996
Wade Phillips	Defensive coordinator, 1989–1992, 2015–16 Head coach, 1993–1994	Defensive coordinator, 2004–2006
Greg Williams	Defensive backs coach, 2018	Assistant defensive backs coach, 2013–2015

Players

Name	Position(s)	Broncos' tenure	Chargers' tenure
Stephen Alexander	Tight end	2005–07	2002–03
Jeremiah Attaochu	Linebacker	2019–present	2014–17
David Binn	Long snapper	2011 (one game)	1994–2010
Marco Coleman	Defensive end	2004–05	1996–98
David Diaz-Infante	Center/Guard	1996–98	1987
Dedrick Dodge	Safety	1997	1998
Orlando Franklin	Guard	2011–14	2015–16
Virgil Green	Tight end	2011–17	2018–present
Jacob Hester	Fullback	2012	2008–11
Quentin Jammer	Cornerback/Safety	2013	2002–12
Marlon McCree	Safety	2008	2006–07
Anthony Miller	Wide receiver	1994–96	1988–93
Russell Okung	Offensive tackle	2016	2017–present
Shaun Phillips	Defensive end	2013	2004–12
Adrian Robinson	Linebacker	2013 (six games)	2013 (three games)
Dante Rosario	Tight end	2011	2012
Eddie Royal	Wide receiver/Return specialist	2008–11	2012–14
Neil Smith	Defensive end	1997–99	2000
Jimmy Spencer	Cornerback	2000–03	1998–99
Harry Swayne	Offensive tackle	1997–98	1991–96
Maa Tanuvasa	Defensive tackle	1995–2000	2001
Mitch Unrein	Defensive tackle	2011–14	2015
Louis Vasquez	Guard	2013–15	2009–12
J. D. Walton	Center	2010–13	2015
Wes Welker	Wide receiver/Return specialist	2013–14	2004 (one game)
Jamal Williams	Nose tackle	2010	1998–2009
Chris Harris Jr.	Cornerback	2011-19	2020–present
Melvin Gordon	Running Back	2020–present	2015-19

External links

• Denver Broncos' official website
• The Denver Post – Complete Broncos Coverage
• Pro Football Hall of Fame – Denver Broncos team history
• Denver Broncos at Sports E-Cyclopedia.org
• Los Angeles Chargers' official website
• San Diego Union-Tribune – Chargers' coverage
• Los Angeles Chargers team history
• Los Angeles at Sports E-Cyclopedia.org